Hot Rods 32 Roadster Body - a new approach. AKA Beetledeuce

My first pro mechanic job was re-building VW engines for an engine exchange service, so I've been inside a few. I also owned a hopped-up fastback for years when I was young and ignorant. It was sorta the poor man's Porsche. Lots of fun on the short stretch, but after being raised on Chevys and Cornbinders, I thought VWs were just cheap. OK for what they were, but not really serious cars for the long haul.

I wouldn't waste time messing with VW bits for for a custom car that's gonna be fit to house a 300+ inch V8.

 

If you end up making a 32 grill shell out of that discarded VW hood I am going to sell my tools and take up golf ! Really impressive work and it is actually starting to look very Deuce-ish. In the beginning of this thread I don't think any of us really thought the end result would turn out as well as it has, but you had a vision and the skills to pull it off.

Great job so far.

Don

 

Looks like they used stainless steel for the section or is cold rolled mate?

 

I assume it was cold-rolled as I was able to Mig weld it.

 

Nice to see such an excellent thread belongs to a fellow Brit...and another gent to boot. A diamond geezer even!

Awesome skills, watching closely.

 

There is so much ingenuity and skill here. This is an amazing and creative build. No one will believe this was once a lowly Beetle.

 

Thanks JW, I like to see existing panels used in this way.

 

Many thanks Devin.

 

Thanks Butcher Boy.

 

Thanks KK.
Sometimes you just have to put your head down and press on when things aren't going your way.

 

I haven't decided yet Terry. Rover is certainly an option as they are relatively abundant here.

 

Thank you very much.

 

It's nice to be back!

 

I won't go into details but there are certainly grumblings elsewhere.

 

Thanks Buddy.

 

Jamie, it's very interesting to hear you talk about the Rover like that.
For us, it used to be the only V8 that was abundant and cheap on this side of the pond.
People used them in just about every build you can imagine.
Now that American V8's are more available I think It's used less, but it's an interesting option. As you say, aluminium, tuneable....what's not to like?
Someone earlier on suggested the Daimler 2.5L hemi which would be fantastic with both English and German heritage, but they are rare and expensive.

 

Now this is getting silly....

 

You made me laugh out loud Don. I hadn't thought about building a grill shell until now, but it's almost a challenge, I may do it just to see you play golf.

 

You're a lucky man living in the land of the Hot Rod!!

 

Thanks Hellfish, I'm trying to knock the Beetle out of it!.

 

I'll be honest Simon....nothing better then true blue American screws in a traditional hot rod....here anyways.....but for me.....I have been puttering with thought studies on how to do so "differently", while within the vein ....so to speak.

Weight is the killer for anyone wanting to do something fast. It's that quandary that delves into bigger engine displacements to move something heavier along...."fast". I do love this place, but I bring a lot of muscle car baggage here....that I am trying to apply the best I can in a "traditional" manner.

I have a tendency to put V8 in every speed conversation. Putting history into a four cylinder banger would be an awesome outcome in a hot rod....but wow, is that expensive. I wouldn't invest in a poured babbit build myself.....I'd be the guy with billet steel reciprocating assembly, pop up pistons, and the newer tech banger head. Big bucks. (Dunno' if you follow Rich Fox and his speed brethren here or not....but if you like badass movers.....six cylinders and lower......look him up....it's amazing)

Rover V8 is the Buick 215 V8 tooling sold to Land Rover I believe in the early 70's.....someone correct me. It's a cool thought to just put a 215 Buick in my coming build....but parts....and the foreplanned parts breakage make the imaginary wallet cry before it's even opened.

Instead of hiding a small block Chevy within a faux set of Buick/Oldsmobile valve covers(sad fad for a while)......it would be fun to just put period finned valve covers, four pot Edelbrock intake manifold/Hilborn injected setup, and a hot Isky cam on said Rover....and still be within real deal Buick Performance territory.....with an added/cheaper cubic inches to boot......with no one the wiser, but me.

I didn't mean to pollute your thread.....the excitement got me in trouble there. Carry on with your awesomeness, sir....and thank you once again.

 

Keep going,,it looks great. HRP

 

I believe there is only one logical choice for a power plant in this car...

Block of aluminum... some old triumph heads Maybe vw carbs , bosh ignition , should be EZ! ... Just need to add a Bridgeport to the welder and grinder in your tool box!

 

Wow, that's amazing!

 

Pewter should be a good substitute for aluminum, right?

 

Hey you are doing a great job....

Full inspiration for us who dont have access to old cars.

Go ahead we want to see more and learn

 

Ha ha....I fear I might end up with a pool of molten metal laying under the frame!

 

Thanks Irapso.
Yeah, I figured not everyone can get their hands on the real deal.

 

I have to Call a WTF, followed by I like it so much i need to know more!!!

The guy in lower left seem familiar and the the car in lower right looks like a midget.

So you got my attetion!!! :-0

 

From a pure aesthetic point of view, I love this motor, and I don't even know what it is, (although I have a feeling someone will tell me!).